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Salinas hit-and-run victim's daughter speaks out

Cynthia Lane died while trying to find a ride home from Natividad Medical Center.

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Salinas hit-and-run victim's daughter speaks out

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Updated: 5:07 PM PST Nov 22, 2013

Cynthia Lane's daughter, Nichole Perry, wanted to say "thank you" to a First Alarm security guard who was killed while trying to help Lane during a horrific accident outside Natividad Medical Center in Salinas.That help made Lane's family feel incredibly grateful toward Natividad guard Linda Rascon, 24, of Salinas, and saddened. VIDEO: Linda Rascon killed trying to save hospital patientPerry also wanted people to know that her mom was a fun-loving, funny, big-hearted mother of five.Perry still doesn't know what led to her mother being hospitalized Wednesday, but understands Lane was hospitalized in the Emergency Room for being intoxicated in public.VIDEO: Cynthia Lane's daughter speaks outLane, 57, of Salinas, wrestled with an alcohol addiction for most of her life, and was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, Perry said. Lane donated all of her free time to working with her church, Victory Outreach, and local charities, her daughter said."My mom is very loving with a big heart. There's a lot of people who love her whose hearts are broken,” Perry said. “She's very non-judgmental and gets along with everybody. She loves her grandchildren, and I haven't told them yet. They're going to be devastated."Lane has nine grandchildren. Perry was still trying to notify family members that are spread across the country on Thursday night. PHOTOS: Hospital security guard, patient killed in Salinas accidentThe accident happened at 7 p.m. Wednesday on East Laurel Drive. Lane had just been released from Natividad Medical Center's emergency room when she fell in the street. Rascon had followed the patient outside to return a backpack she forgot in the hospital. After seeing Lane fall, the security guard rushed to help her, police officer Gerard Ross said.While Rascon was kneeling by the patient, Francisco Miranda Jr., 23, of Salinas, was driving in a Ford Taurus toward them, Ross said. The Ford Taurus was traveling 45 mph when it hit both women. Rascon was flung nearly 50 feet, and Miranda ran her over a second time before fleeing the scene, Ross said.Lane and Rascon died within minutes."Miranda reeked of marijuana, as did the car," Ross said. "Miranda admitted to smoking (marijuana) and submitted to a blood test."Investigators determined Miranda had been driving while high on marijuana. He was arrested and booked into Monterey County Jail on two counts of murder, felony DUI, felony hit-and-run, and driving with a suspended license. Miranda had already been convicted of DUI twice in 2013.

SALINAS, Calif. —

Cynthia Lane's daughter, Nichole Perry, wanted to say "thank you" to a First Alarm security guard who was killed while trying to help Lane during a horrific accident outside Natividad Medical Center in Salinas.

That help made Lane's family feel incredibly grateful toward Natividad guard Linda Rascon, 24, of Salinas, and saddened.

Lane, 57, of Salinas, wrestled with an alcohol addiction for most of her life, and was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, Perry said. Lane donated all of her free time to working with her church, Victory Outreach, and local charities, her daughter said.

"My mom is very loving with a big heart. There's a lot of people who love her whose hearts are broken,” Perry said. “She's very non-judgmental and gets along with everybody. She loves her grandchildren, and I haven't told them yet. They're going to be devastated."

Lane has nine grandchildren. Perry was still trying to notify family members that are spread across the country on Thursday night.

The accident happened at 7 p.m. Wednesday on East Laurel Drive. Lane had just been released from Natividad Medical Center's emergency room when she fell in the street. Rascon had followed the patient outside to return a backpack she forgot in the hospital. After seeing Lane fall, the security guard rushed to help her, police officer Gerard Ross said.

While Rascon was kneeling by the patient, Francisco Miranda Jr., 23, of Salinas, was driving in a Ford Taurus toward them, Ross said. The Ford Taurus was traveling 45 mph when it hit both women. Rascon was flung nearly 50 feet, and Miranda ran her over a second time before fleeing the scene, Ross said.

Lane and Rascon died within minutes.

"Miranda reeked of marijuana, as did the car," Ross said. "Miranda admitted to smoking (marijuana) and submitted to a blood test."

Investigators determined Miranda had been driving while high on marijuana. He was arrested and booked into Monterey County Jail on two counts of murder, felony DUI, felony hit-and-run, and driving with a suspended license. Miranda had already been convicted of DUI twice in 2013.